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Making a Difference: 2024
Dedicated to Liz Mallory. We will always love you.
Connection, service, and purpose were our constant guides throughout 2024. These themes kept us grounded and focused. They reminded us to listen deeply, collaborate intentionally, and act with compassion. By staying true to these principles, we forged meaningful relationships and remained steadfast in our commitment to making a difference.
Connection:
Throughout 2024, we focused on listening, learning, and building connections. We volunteered with our charity partners, attended conferences, and engaged with people from a wide range of perspectives. We listened to individuals with lived and living experience, those who directly support communities in need, and subject-matter experts. These conversations deeply shape our work at Kindred, and we are profoundly grateful for every opportunity to learn from others.
In turn, this learning enabled us to foster collaboration by connecting our partners with one another. We also introduced donors to the incredible charities we cherish, helping further their important missions. There’s nothing more rewarding than bringing people together and seeing new connections grow—it truly fills our hearts.
Service:
Our central purpose is to do better for those in need, especially children and families. We believe in empowering others to build stronger systems and provide support in ways that matter most. Achieving this requires partnership and collaboration because we know we can accomplish far more together than we ever could alone.
As a community, we have the power to support people in crisis, offer a safe haven to those who feel unwanted, embrace individuals for who they are, and provide help to those who need it now. We see it as our responsibility to serve, to give back, and to stay focused on creating a better future for everyone.
Purpose:
A clear sense of purpose is essential for maintaining focus and making the best decisions when serving others. Charities often face complex and daunting challenges, where solutions can sometimes feel out of reach. Returning to your purpose provides clarity and grounding—it helps you cut through manufactured fears, recognize the benefits, and quickly spot unintended consequences. Purpose acts as your compass, keeping you on track. And even if you stray from the path, it’s the anchor that guides you back to the center, drawing you back to the trail.
Vision
To boldly advance cures, treatments, and supports for children and adults experiencing health and life challenges in our community.
Mission
Supporting the now while providing funding for an improved tomorrow.
We Are Grateful for 2024
We are thankful for every day that we are able to help others. This means everything to everyone at Kindred. We can do this work because of the community that surrounds Kindred. (By reading this report, you are a member of our Community - we hope you are okay with that, we certainly are.) Having you as part of our community brings us joy, strength, and so much happiness. Our greatest wish is that we bring you the same positive feelings in return.
We continue to focus on our three pillars
A Quick Recap of 2024
Looking at the Numbers
Kindred Foundation is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to funding health research and programs primarily focused on children, adolescents and young adults. To ensure sustainable giving, Kindred Foundation is built on a solid endowment model with 100% of receipted donations directed towards our charitable purpose. We maintain low overhead and are focused on making a difference.
$982,913
Total Giving for 2024
$3.1 Million
Total Giving Since Inception
$16.5 Million
Endowment Fund Value
10%
Disbursement Quota
(5% required)
51
Charities Supported in 2024
91
Unique Charities Supported Since Inception
At Kindred, we are incredibly lucky to work together with many charity and corporate partners. You will learn about them throughout this report and how we are doing more together. In the next graph, you can see the importance of our partners and the impact they have on giving at Kindred Foundation. We don’t believe in taking their thunder, they deserve so much credit for the difference they make.
Charitable giving at Kindred Foundation has increased each year. In 2021, we transitioned from a private to a public foundation.
Kindred Foundation carefully manages administrative costs to ensure the majority of funds go directly to our programs and giving.
With a dedicated team of two full-time staff and an incredible Board of Directors, we foster a close-knit, family-oriented approach in all that we do. We want our donors and partners to always feel like valued members of the Kindred Family.
We Pride Ourselves on Doing Things Differently
We believe that there is NO competition in charity. We will always be stronger and able to do more when we work together with other charities, organizations, and people. Partnership and collaboration, within Canada and internationally, are critical.
Our endowment fund is expertly designed and managed, using advanced and balanced investing that regularly builds revenue back into the endowment fund to ensure its growth.
We have a strong mission-centric infrastructure that can effectively, expertly, and positively manage philanthropic capital of any size and type.
We can provide more than funding to our charity partners. We can provide access to a natural outdoor event space called Tecasy Ranch, operational feedback, in-person volunteer hours, connections to other partners, and more if needed.
We engage in participatory decision-making when operating in areas where we do not have direct expertise. We believe in giving the power to decide how our funds will be allocated to those who represent the communities in which we are working. Our partners and guides help ensure funds go to trusted and meaningful initiatives in the communities they support.
Committees at Kindred Foundation
When we work together and help each other, we can do more. Integrating charitable partners within Kindred Foundation allows for lower shared overhead and admin costs, while providing a unique and sustainable organizational structure. It allows multiple groups to work together efficiently and effectively to tackle common issues.
Phoebe Rose Rocks Committee
Founded in 2016 in memory of Phoebe Rose Doull-Hoffman, the Phoebe Rose Rocks Foundation raises awareness and funds for childhood cancer research and in support of families travelling for treatment. They are focused on finding a cure for every child with cancer. In 2023, the Phoebe Rose Rocks Foundation integrated with Kindred Foundation.
Phoebe Rose Rocks Foundation and Kindred Foundation partner on funding childhood cancer research (the DECRYPT grant) and two programs together – the U-Link Patient and Family Fund and the Family Support Package program. Members of Phoebe Rose Rocks and Kindred Foundation established the Phoebe Rose Committee who meet throughout the year.
This year, a Cocktails for Kindred with Phoebe Rose Rocks event took place at Nate’s Deli in Ottawa. It was an unforgettable evening filled with incredible people, live music, beautiful “Golden” clothes from Little Press Co, and way too much fun.
Together, we raised over $20,000 for the Phoebe Rose Rocks Committee and the Family Support Package program. A huge thank you to everyone who made this evening so special.
Hunter’s Committee
From the moment he could walk, Hunter Marsden was full of joy, laughter, and energy. He was a natural athlete, excelling in swimming, snowboarding, Tae Kwon Do, and especially soccer. In 2017, Hunter was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma cancer at eight years old. For over six years, Hunter faced countless therapies with courage and determination. Despite the relentless battle, treatment failed him, and in January 2024, Hunter passed away at IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Hunter’s Mom and Dad, Tina and Sean, share: “He was always the jokester who kept all of us and his best buds laughing all the time despite how he felt. He never gave up and will forever be our inspiration and Superhero!”
Hunter’s Committee is dedicated to making a difference for children diagnosed with cancer, with a focus on neuroblastoma. Joining Kindred Foundation in 2024, we are privileged to help honour Hunter’s memory to help make a difference in the world of pediatric oncology.
Andrew and Christopher’s Shiny Rocks Committee
Andrew and Christopher MacDonald were energetic boys and always on the move. Their short lives were full of motion, activity and love: hockey, soccer, skating, biking, skiing, sailing and camping.
Through the Shiny Rocks Committee at Kindred Foundation, Scott and Rachel, Andrew and Christopher’s parents, will strive to support youth physical activity. They feel physical activity is integral to healthy development in children and youth, both physical and mental.
Rachel and Scott shared, “Andrew and Christopher passed away in June 2002 in a car accident near Calgary, AB aged 11 and 9 years old. We think of them every day and are honoured to partner with Kindred in keeping their memory alive.”
Andrew and Christopher’s Shiny Rocks Committee joined Kindred Foundation in 2024.
Eli’s Committee
Founded in 2021 in memory of Eli Martins, Eli's Childhood Cancer Foundation's mission is to help families battling childhood cancer and fund research for more treatment options focusing on rhabdomyosarcoma.
In 2023, Eli’s Childhood Cancer Foundation partnered with us to create Eli’s Committee focused on raising funds for childhood cancer research and programs. Eli's Childhood Cancer Foundation remains focused on its mission, and any funds donated through Kindred Foundation for Eli's Committee continue to support their work.
Tillsonburg Running With The Bulls
The first Tillsonburg Running With The Bulls (TRWTB) running event launched in 2024. Created, organized, and run by Tamara Bull, this event raises funds for families impacted by cancer.
In 2024, TRWTB partnered with Kindred Foundation as their charity partner for the event. All funds raised from TRWTB will go towards the U-Link Patient and Family Fund which helps pay for the expenses experienced by patients and families when a child, adolescent, or young adult is in cancer treatment. This year, the run takes place on July 19 – look for more details to be posted soon!
PS – don’t worry, you will be running with the Bull family and not big animals with scary horns!
Corporate Partners
nesto group
We are lucky to partner with so many great people who help us make a difference in the lives of others.
In 2024, CMLS Financial and Intellifi Corporation became part of nesto, a pioneer in online mortgage lending in Canada. And, we became even luckier to now have the support of three incredible organizations! This made our third year of Project Kindness even more exciting, with staff fundraising, walking, running, raffling, and having fun for a good cause in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.
The nesto group has raised funds for the DECRYPT research grant for children with rare embryonal brain tumours, two 100% Fund grants for rhabdomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma childhood cancer research, and for a new Kindred Foundation program that will launch in 2025 helping families to stay in their homes when they have a child in cancer treatment. Since 2022, over $118,000 has been raised for childhood cancer research and programs through Project Kindness.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone at the nesto group for your kindness, trust, generosity and desire to help others.
It is an honour to work and have fun together – we appreciate who you are and everything you do.
$43,400 raised for a new housing support program for children with cancer in 2024.
$41,000 raised for two childhood cancer research grants in 2023.
$34,000 raised for the DECRYPT research grant in 2022.
The nesto group (nesto, CMLS, and Intellifi Corporation) have raised over
$118,000 for childhood cancer research and programs!
Choice Properties
Since 2022, Kindred Foundation has supported Choice Properties with their Choice Cares community involvement program where colleagues volunteer their time and raise funds for charities. The Choice Cares campaign raised funds for charities across Canada with the theme of empowering children in low-income communities. We were pleased to be able to support the Choice Cares program.
Collaborators and Charity Partners
Tecasy Ranch is a private property which provides an inspirational setting for individuals and groups to connect with nature. Tecasy Ranch is about: Connecting People to Nature, People to People, and People to a Greater Cause. We partner with Tecasy Ranch on many initiatives such as outdoor experiences for Adventure4Change youth and the Family Grief Retreat with Hospice Peterborough.
The EVAN Foundation was “established in memory of Evan Lindberg in 2011, The EVAN Foundation is making a difference everyday in the fight against neuroblastoma and other childhood cancers. Whether in the laboratory, the clinic or the hospital room The EVAN Foundation is spreading hope and driving change.” We partner with The EVAN Foundation on the Treats & Treasures Cart Program and the ACTION research grant.
Tali’s Fund supports research targeting safe, effective treatments for children with rare brain cancers, and provides educational resources to childhood cancer families. Tali’s Fund is a partner of the Family Support Package program with Kindred Foundation and the Phoebe Rose Rocks Committee and they are a co-funder on the DECRYPT research grant.
Founded in 1945, the Cancer Research Society (CRS) is one of the only Canadian organizations exclusively dedicated to research into all types of cancer. Since its inception, the CRS has supported thousands of researchers who have made significant advances in cancer prevention, detection and treatment. Cancer Research Society is a co-funder on the DECRYPT research grant.
Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada is the only national charity offering information and support to patients affected by any kind of brain tumour – be it cancerous, non-malignant or metastases. The organization funds ground-breaking research across North America. The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada is a co-funder on the DECRYPT research grant.
The Miracle Marnie Foundation comes alongside families, charities, hospitals/programs, and organizations so that they may enhance the lives of those children who are currently in treatment, and support the families of those who have or continue to walk in treatment. The Miracle Marnie Foundation is a co-funder on the DECRYPT research grant.
“Since 1987, Childhood Cancer Canada's mission has been to create victories for Canadian children with cancer through investment in national, collaborative, and lifesaving research, as well as empowering education, and community programs.” Childhood Cancer Canada is a co-funder on the DECRYPT research grant.
It Gets Better Canada is a registered charity in Canada that envisions a world where all 2SLGBTQ+ youth are free to live equally and know their worthiness and power as individuals. Its mission is to uplift, empower, and connect 2SLGBTQ+ youth across Canada. We are beyond grateful to partner with It Gets Better Canada on Kindred Foundation’s Youth Mental Health Grant.
The Black Health Alliance is a community-led registered charity working to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada. They provide a platform for Black people to establish a common voice around systemic problems, and work to co-design and mobilize the tools, skills, partnerships and investment needed to implement solutions that improve health outcomes across Canada. We are thankful to BHA for their partnership on our Youth Mental Health Grant
Team Finn Foundation was started in 2009 in memory of Finn Sullivan who lived his lived his life by singing, running, dancing, jumping, and so much more. Team Finn Foundation has raised over $2 million dollars to fund childhood cancer programs and research across Canada. We are proud to partner with Team Finn and The EVAN Foundation to bring the Treats & Treasures Cart to Surrey Memorial Hospital in BC.
Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation’s mission is to fund innovative and accessible research for children fighting cancer to provide better treatments and quality of life and to educate for change. Kindred is proud to partner with CKc to co-fund a Young Investigator Research Grant
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada “won’t stop until there is a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms and are able to improve the quality of life of people affected by blood cancers and their families by funding life-enhancing research and providing educational resources, services and support. We partner with LLSC on multiple Blood Cancer Research Innovation grants
Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Research and Programs
We must do better for children who are in cancer treatment today.
We must do even better for children who will be diagnosed with cancer in the future.
Great progress has been made in the treatment of childhood cancer overall; however, the problem of childhood cancer continues to be too big to ignore. There are too many childhood cancers with unacceptable cure rates, treatments that cause lifelong and debilitating challenges for survivors, and a serious lack of supports for families making it very challenging for them to recover from the emotional and financial devastation experienced throughout their child’s treatment.
Updates on Previously Funded Research Projects
Kindred Foundation and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada
In 2022-2024, Kindred Foundation and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) partnered to fund two pediatric oncology Blood Cancer Research Innovation grants. Each awardee was provided $200,000 over two years, with Kindred funding $100,000 for each grant.
Dr. Cynthia Guidos at the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto): Identifying the Genetic Changes that Lead to Ruxolitinib Resistance. ($100,000 total)
UPDATE: While most children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are cured with modern chemotherapy, those with a high-risk subtype called Ph-like ALL often relapse due to drug resistance, particularly in Hispanic/Latino and Indigenous populations. A targeted drug, ruxolitinib, is being tested in a clinical trial to improve outcomes, but some leukemia cells still evade treatment. This research aims to study why this resistance occurs and identify new therapies to target these resistant leukemia cells, with the goal of preventing relapse in children with Ph-like ALL. The project was granted a no-cost extension on their funding due to unforeseen delays and we will have an update later in 2025 on this research project.
Dr. Florian Kuchenbauer at BC Cancer (Vancouver): MiR-193a-Based LNP Drug Treatment for Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia (pAML). ($100,000 total)
UPDATE: Understanding how cancer develops and progresses could lead to finding treatments that identify what “switches” need to be turned on and off to suppress tumour growth. Dr. Kuchenbauer and his team looked at a specific gene mutation (WT1) in AML and the role of a small molecule (MiR-193a) to understand its tumour-suppressing potential. Their work also showed some promise in using a form of MiR-193a (a liposomal nanoparticle) which slowed the growth of AML in laboratory models. They made key discoveries about WT1 and miR-193a, have motivated additional scientific work on using liposomal nanoparticles to deliver (RNA-based) therapies, and are collaborating on new delivery methods to develop targeted therapies for AML patients.
DECRYPT Childhood Embryonal Brain Tumour Research Grant
In December 2023, the DECRYPT charity partners were proud to announce Dr. Annie Huang from the Hospital for Sick Children, and her cross-country team, as the research grant awardee. This was for the project: “DECRYPT -Babybrains Trial for Children Under 6 Years Old with High-Risk Embryonal Brain Tumours.”
UPDATE: Designing, opening, and running a clinical trial is a huge endeavour. In 2024, Dr. Huang and her team focused on developing the research protocol and all the necessary materials (e.g., consent forms). The next step is for everything to be reviewed by a research ethics board, a critical step that must happen before a clinical trial can open. 2025 should be very exciting, seeing the opening of this clinical trial!
This $600,000 CAD research grant is being provided over 4 years and aims to:
Advance the current understanding of how to treat, diagnose and/or monitor childhood embryonal brain cancer.
Grow expertise in pediatric embryonal tumours and expand that expertise across Canada.
Conduct research that is meaningful to patients and prioritize the translation of research from the laboratory to the clinic.
Thank you to CMLS and Intellifi Corporation for helping us to fundraise for DECRYPT in 2022!
100% Fund Grants: Rhabdomyosarcoma and Osteosarcoma
The “100% Fund” is a childhood cancer research grant managed by the C17 Council where every dollar raised goes towards research. In 2023, Kindred co-funded two 100% Fund grants due to the incredible support from CMLS Financial and Intellifi Corporation. Each grant is $100,000 over 2 years.
100% Fund Grant for Rhabdomyosarcoma
Funded by Fight Like Mason, Eli’s Childhood Cancer Foundation, and Kindred Foundation
Dr. Rebecca Gladdy | Sinai Health System, Toronto ON
Molecular Profiling of Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and Creating a Pre-Clinical RMS Model
UPDATE: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare and aggressive childhood cancer with limited treatment options for advanced stages. Accurate laboratory models of cancer are critical to help understand how cancer develops, spreads, and responds to treatment. This initiative has made progress in developing new RMS models, including models that replicate metastatic disease. By analyzing tumor biology and using advanced imaging, the team is working to understand how chemotherapy impacts the immune environment within the tumour to ultimately design more effective, personalized therapies.
100% Fund Grant for Osetosarcoma
Funded by Sarcoma Research Canada and Kindred, with support from Childhood Cancer Canada.
Dr. Rebecca Deyell | BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver BC
Impact of Body Composition and Pharmacogenomics on Toxicity and Survival Outcomes in Childhood Bone Sarcoma
UPDATE: Children with bone sarcoma undergo intensive treatments, but chemotherapy doses are currently based only on weight and height, ignoring differences in body composition (lean and fat mass). This study uses advanced machine learning to analyze CT scans from pediatric cancer patients, making it faster and more accurate to assess body composition. This could help understand the effect of body composition on side effects, relapse, and outcomes, potentially leading to better drug dosing and nutritional support for these patients.
Thank you to CMLS and Intellifi Corporation for helping us to fundraise for these two 100% Fund grants in 2023!
ACTION Consortium Grant
This 4-year grant aims to accelerate the development of treatments and clinical trials for children with relapsed and hard-to-cure neuroblastoma cancer. The ACTION consortium is a collaboration across Europe, the UK, the USA, and Canada.
Advancing Clinical Trial Implementation and Optimization in Neuroblastoma
UPDATE: In 2023, a single proposal moved forward in the evaluation process for the ACTION consortium grant. In 2024, the application was diligently evaluated by a team of experts and was modified based on the expert input. When all the contracts are signed in 2025, we look forward to sharing the great news
Kindred Foundation’s investment ensures that this research will happen in Canada and Canadian children will have access.
The ACTION Consortium Grant is Kindred Foundation’s largest financial commitment to childhood cancer research so far.
$2.7 million
Total Grant Size (CAD)
$600,000
Funding from Kindred
Updates on New Research Funding for 2024
In Memory of Bo with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada
The LLSC Pediatric Blood Cancer Innovation Grant aims to address gaps and improve outcomes. Kindred Foundation is proud to partner with LLSC again in 2024 to co-fund research on pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (pAML).
Kindred Foundation's contribution to this grant is beyond special. Some of the funds were raised by Kat Ast and Jeff Kindree in memory of their son Bo who died from AML just days after his third birthday in 2019. Bo was diagnosed with pAML at 11 months old and was treated at BC Children's Hospital. We are honoured to support this research initiative in Bo's memory.
Dr. Grace Egan | SickKids, Toronto
The role of XPO2 in leukemia development in childhood and adolescent AML
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a challenging cancer with high relapse rates, and current treatments cause severe side effects because they impact both cancerous and healthy cells. Dr. Egan’s research focuses on a protein called XPO2, which is linked to worse outcomes in childhood and adolescent AML, and are studying its role in leukemia development. By understanding how XPO2 affects different genetic subtypes of AML, they aim to develop targeted therapies that could improve treatment outcomes for patients.
Young Investigators Grant with Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation (CKc)
The CKc Young Investigator Grant aims to support innovative research that is within 2-3 years of clinical trial translation or already linked to an existing trial. This grant focuses on underfunded or under-researched pediatric cancers, prioritizing treatments that improve quality of life or symptom relief. Kindred Foundation is proud to partner with the Cannonball kids’ Cancer Foundation to co-fund a $140,000 CAD grant, which will be distributed over the next three years
Dr. Anirban Das | SickKids, Toronto
Biomarker development for combined PD1+LAG3 inhibition in RRD glioblastoma
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a deadly brain tumor that often resists standard treatments. Dr. Das’ team developed mouse models of a GBM subtype caused by DNA replication errors and tested new immunotherapy combinations with promising results. They are now studying immune responses and biomarkers, with approval to trial the therapy in children, aiming to advance it toward larger clinical trials and potentially set a new treatment standard.
100% Fund Grant: Infant Leukemia – Update from the Phoebe Rose Rocks Committee
Infant leukemia is a highly aggressive cancer with limited effective treatments. A 100% Fund grant was created to specifically address the research needs associated with infant leukemia.
In 2024, a new grant was funded by the Phoebe Rose Rocks Committee with Kindred Foundation, and Mélia’s Memory Foundation. This is a $100,000 grant provided over two years.
Dr. Jongbok Lee | University of Calgary
Developing novel off-the-shelf CAR-T cell for relapse/refractory infant AML
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in infants is highly aggressive, with limited treatment options especially when the cancer relapses or doesn’t respond to chemotherapy. Dr. Lee and his team are exploring the use of donor-derived T cells, specifically CD4-CAR-DNTs, which show strong anti-cancer activity in laboratory models and could offer a promising treatment for infant AML. This project aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of CD4-CAR-DNTs for treating CD4+ infant AML, potentially offering a new therapy for patients with recurrent or resistant disease.
Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Programs
In 2024, Kindred Foundation:
Launched 4 new Treats & Treasures Carts - at IWK in Nova Scotia, Surrey Memorial Hospital in BC, Southlake Regional Health Centre in Ontario, and Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in New Brunswick. We now have 9 Treats & Treasures Carts across Canada!
Grew the Family Support Package program with the Phoebe Rose Rocks Committee and partnership from Tali’s Fund. 104 packages with $350 in gift cards were provided to childhood cancer families across the country.
Supported 11 families across Canada to help cover expenses related to having to travel for care through the U-Link Patient and Family Fund in partnership with Phoebe Rose Rocks. We provided up to $2,000 per family.
At Kindred, we fund childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer research because we need more and better treatments for kids in the future. We also fund programs that support children and their families during treatment to help ease a small amount of the burden they are experiencing now.
The following were some additional donations made in the area of childhood cancer research and programming in 2024:
Southlake
Cold food and treats are now part of the Treats & Treasures Cart program at Southlake’s oncology/hematology clinic. Funding was provided to purchase a fridge/freezer and establish an annual stipend to keep it stocked with cold items for patients to help ease nausea and soothe mouth sores caused by chemotherapy. ($1,950 in 2024)
Wellspring Cancer Support
Kindred provides an unrestricted donation to Wellspring, a Canadian organization offering programs and services to anyone with any type of cancer at no charge or referral. ($25,000, $100,000 total to date)
Treats & Treasures Cart
The Treats & Treasures Cart is a special joy for children receiving cancer treatment. The Cart is filled with an assortment of toys, healthy snacks, and candy. It is brought to children and families in the hematology and oncology ward every week and daily in the oncology clinic – all at no cost to them.
The Treats & Treasures Cart is not only for the child who is in cancer treatment, but also for everyone in the room – parents, caregivers, siblings, and grandparents. It provides something small but so meaningful.
The Treats & Treasures Cart Program Run in Partnership:
Kindred Foundation and The EVAN Foundation purchase the medical-grade Cart and provide a yearly stipend for hospitals to keep the Cart fully stocked. Child Life typically manages the Cart and hospitals decide what goes on the Cart. There are over 20 Treats & Treasures Carts worldwide.
UPDATE - Canadian Carts Launched in 2024:
IWK Health (Halifax, NS) – Launched Jan 2024 for the oncology/hematology unit and clinic.
Surrey Memorial Hospital (Surrey, BC) Launched May 2024 in Partnership with Team Finn Foundation and for the entire pediatrics department and oncology clinic.
Southlake Regional Health Centre (Newmarket, ON) Launched July 2024 for the entire pediatrics department and oncology clinic.
Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre (Moncton, NB) Launch Dec 2024 for all pediatric patients and the pediatric clinic.
Canadian Carts Launched from 2021-2023:
Stollery Children’s Hospital (Edmonton, AB) First Cart launched Sept 2021 for the oncology/hematology unit and clinic.
Alberta Children’s Hospital (Calgary, AB) Launched July 2022 for the oncology/hematology unit and clinic.
Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (Saskatoon, SK) Launched July 2022 for the entire hospital and oncology/hematology clinic.
BC Children’s Hospital (Vancouver, BC) Launched January 2023 for the oncology/hematology unit and clinic.
HSC Winnipeg/CancerCare Manitoba (Winnipeg, MB) Launched July 2023 for the oncology/hematology clinic.
The inspiration behind the Treats & Treasures Cart is Evan Lindberg. Evan was a boy who “lived every day with joy in his heart, compassion in his soul, and love and laughter as his guiding stars.” Evan passed away in 2010 after a 4-year battle with stage IV high-risk neuroblastoma cancer.
U-Link Patient and Family Fund
The U-Link Patient and Family Fund is a financial program for families across Canada who must travel to access treatment through clinical trials for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer. Clinical trials often allow access to innovative therapies that may not be otherwise available.
UPDATE: In 2024, 11 families received financial support through the U-Link Patient and Family Fund. Since 2022, 22 families have been supported to help pay for the many costs that occur when a family has to travel long distances to access care.
U-Link Patient and Family Fund Details
The fund covers costs such as accommodations and food; $2,000 on average is given to families.
The application is simple, and the reimbursement process is streamlined to reduce stress on the family during this difficult time. E-transfers are provided within 5 days of submitting receipts.
The fund is managed by a committee with membership from the two charities and a pediatric oncologist. All applications are reviewed confidentially, with guidance from the child’s care team.
The U-Link Patient and Family Fund is Run in Partnership:
Family Support Package Program
When a child, adolescent, or young adult is diagnosed with cancer, the economic impact on the patient and family is enormous. A package of gift cards is given to families by their Social Worker when they need it most to bring a little relief and joy.
UPDATE: In 2024, 104 Family Support Packages were provided to childhood cancer families across Canada and 3 hospitals joined the program.
Each package contains $350 in gift cards to help families with costs such as gas, food, and the many expenses that happen when a child or young adult is in cancer treatment. The hospitals involved in the program are: IWK, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, The Hospital for Sick Children, CancerCare Manitoba, and Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.
In 2024, Tali’s Fund joined our program, providing 15 packages to the Hospital for Sick Children for families who have a child with a brain tumour. Thank you to Tali’s Fund for your support!
Youth Mental and Physical Health
Youth mental and physical health continue to impact youth in Canada and around the world at an alarming rate. In 2024, Kindred Foundation funded several initiatives:
It Gets Better Canada
Uplifting and empowering Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (2SLGBTQ+) youth across Canada through storytelling and building community. ($15,000 in 2024, $95,000 total to date)
The Black Health Alliance
The Black Health Alliance is a community-led registered charity working to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada. ($5,000 in 2024, $15,000 total to date)
Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council
The Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council works to improve awareness of and engagement in suicide prevention within the Waterloo region. ($10,000 in 2024, $45,000 total to date)
QMUNITY (BC)
The Gender Supportive Wear Program provides free new and used gender-affirming chest wear to transgender and gender-nonconforming youth. The program is supported by the QMUNITY Youth Worker who provides one-on-one support to the youth and their families. ($15,000 in 2024, $80,900 in total)
Youth Emergency Shelter (Peterborough, Ontario)
“YES works to reduce and prevent homelessness by providing shelter, education and transitional supports for youth and families in Peterborough City and County.” ($10,000 in 2024)
Algonquin Secondary School (North Bay, Ontario)
Renovation of the weight room at Algonquin Catholic Secondary School to improve safety and access to updated equipment for student physical health. ($4,000 in 2024)
Scholarships
Kindred Foundation provides multi-year scholarships to students from marginalized communities to help them realize their educational dreams. Multi-year funding is provided directly to the student.
UPDATE: In 2024, we are supporting 22 students with scholarships! The new 2024 awardees are:
Kindred Foundation x Adventure4Change Scholarships
Faiqa Raza: 4-year scholarship – Health Sciences, University of Toronto
Moussa Musse: 4-year scholarship – Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo
Ikran Ahmed: 1-year bursary – Sociology, Wilfred Laurier University
Black Education Fund Roster Scholarships
Calah Ajao: 3-year scholarship – Health Sciences, McMaster University
Hugh-Roy Hanson: 3-year scholarship – Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University
Jordaine Williams: 4-year scholarship – Nursing, Durham College
Magda Gure: 2-year scholarship – Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University
Quinne Cameron: 4-year scholarship – Psychology, Carleton University
Youth Mental Health Grant 2024
The Kindred Foundation Youth Mental Health Grant supports organizations directly assisting Black and/or 2SLGBTQ+ youth communities with mental health challenges. The grant supports initiatives across Canada, with a focus on grassroots organizations. Started in 2022, this annual grant utilizes a streamlined submission process to reduce the application burden on organizations.
Kindred Foundation is honoured to be guided by The Black Health Alliance and It Gets Better Canada. Utilizing a community-driven philanthropy approach, The Black Health Alliance and It Gets Better Canada helped design the youth mental health grant. Each year, all organizations review applications and decide on grant awardees.
Youth Mental Health Grant: 2024 Update
Initiatives Funded by the Kindred Foundation Youth Mental Health Grant in 2024
AlterHéros (QC): “Grounded Roots: De-colonial Nature centred healing techniques for QTBIPOC Neurodivergent youth”
Art + Health (ON): “and still I rise” providing individual and group therapy for survivors of Gender-Based Violence.
Northern Mosaic Network (NWT): “Peer Support Program” expansion to increase and improve support.
The Film Stars Project (ON): “Pieces of the Community” using film arts to safely discuss and de-stigmatize issues around mental health.
Trans Support NL (NL): “Families In Transition — Growing Together” offering support for trans, nonbinary, gender diverse youth and their families.
Community Support
Community is strong when it is rooted in connection, trust, belonging, and mutual care. Vibrant communities support the well-being of individuals and families, fostering both healing and growth. However, neglecting the essential elements that sustain these bonds can deeply affect a community’s overall well-being. Kindred is prioritizing two vital areas of support: addressing food insecurity and enhancing end-of-life care for both children and adults.
Food Insecurity
Rising food costs continued to be a major issue through 2024, creating significant challenges for individuals and families. This situation has placed considerable strain on food banks, meal programs, and other initiatives aimed at tackling food insecurity in Canada. The following are the food insecurity programs that Kindred Foundation supported in 2024:
Burlington Friday Meal and Hub (Ontario)
A collective dining experience surrounded by mental and physical health supports for families and individuals experiencing food insecurity in Burlington, Ontario and area. Kindred provides operational support and in-person volunteer hours. ($20,000 in 2024, $150,000 total to date)
WAES
Weston Area Emergency Support (Ontario)
A collaboration of local churches in the Weston, Ontario area provides food for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Kindred provides operational support and in-person volunteer hours.
($20,000 in 2024, $60,000 total to date)
Food for Life (Ontario)
The vision of Food for Life is “for everyone to have access to healthy food.” ($20,000 in 2024)
Parkdale Food Centre (Ontario)
“At the Parkdale Food Centre, we believe in an Ottawa where everyone has the means and opportunity to live a healthy, connected, and fulfilling life.” Kindred provides operational support and in-person volunteer hours. ($10,000 in 2024)
Trent Lakes Food Bank – Kawartha Food Share (Ontario)
“Trent Lakes Outreach Centre (TLOC) runs a year round FOODBANK once a month. The FOODBANK is run entirely by volunteers and donations.” ($3,000 in 2024)
Hospice and End-of-Life Care for Children and Adults
To date, Kindred has donated over $640,000 to impactful projects and programs in hospice, palliative, and end-of-life care for children and adults across Canada. The following provides more information on our Kindred Cares Grant for pediatric and adult hospice and palliative care programs.
Kindred Cares Grant 2024
Hospice and palliative care are interdisciplinary, holistic approaches that relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for individuals with life-limiting conditions. Accessing hospice and palliative care programs in Canada can be difficult; there are only a handful of dedicated pediatric hospices in Canada.
In 2021, we established the Kindred Cares Grant to fund operations, programs, projects, and/or research in hospice, palliative, and end-of-life care for children and adults with life-limiting conditions.
Kindred Cares: 2024 Update
Kindred Cares Grant Details
The Kindred Cares Grant was created to:
Support Canadian community-based hospice and palliative care.
Assist with research, projects, programs, and/or operations related to palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions across Canada and adults in Ontario.
Some Examples of Initiatives Funded by the Kindred Cares Grant in 2024
Dr. Joanna Humphreys, McMaster University: Translating the Last Aid Kids and Teens (LAC-KT) Course: Enhancing Death and Grief Literacy for Children Across Canada
The Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO): Homeward Bound: Strengthening Pediatric Palliative Cancer Care Capacity in Northern Ontario
Rose Cottage Visiting Volunteers (ON): Care Package & Wellness Check Program
Rotary Flames House (AB): Upgrade to the multipurpose Rumpus Room
The Lighthouse for Grieving Children & Families (ON): Grief Support Program for children
The Dream Factory (MB): Year-long hospital parking for 5 Dream Families
Additional Hospice and Palliative Care Donations in 2024
Keaton’s House Family Lounge (Ontario)
A new 10-bed children’s hospice is currently being developed in Hamilton, Ontario, addressing a crucial need for support of children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Kindred Foundation is proud to support this initiative by sponsoring the Family Lounge, a dedicated space that brings comfort and connection. ($50,000 in 2024)
Childhood Cancer Canada Benevolent Fund
Childhood Cancer Canada’s (CCC) Benevolent Fund provides funding support to families to help pay for funeral costs if a child dies from cancer. Kindred Foundation is the lead charitable partner and provided funding for our fourth year in 2024. ($50,000 in 2024, $200,000 to date)
Nipissing Serenity Hospice (Ontario)
Initial funding for the construction of a Gazebo was provided through our Kindred Cares Grant in 2022. The gazebo offers an accessible outdoor space for residents and visitors. This donation will help complete the project by adding items such as railings, lights and landscaping.
($9,011 in 2024, $19,011 total to date)
Ontario Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium
Kindred Foundation provided sponsorship for the biennial conference for pediatric palliative care as part of the Hospice Palliative Care Ontario conference. ($8,000 in 2024)
Guelph Wish Fund (Ontario)
“The Guelph Wish Fund for Children provides ‘wishes’ and support to children under the age of 19, residing in Guelph or Wellington County, who are living with a significant illness, life-altering injury or a rare and debilitating syndrome.” ($2,000 in 2024)
SickKids: Shaindy Alexander Virtual Reality Initiative
Using social virtual environments and virtual reality for adolescents to connect and interact with others when in hospital or at home through personalized avatars. ($1,000 in 2024, $8,500 total)
New Initiatives in 2025, As We Know So Far
We are already looking forward to the many opportunities that 2025 will bring! This will include new partnerships, funding more research, expanding our programs, and growing our two grants. Our commitment to making a difference remains unchanged.
We continue to work with the Everest in the Alps fundraising campaign and are building a grant to fund research into pediatric disseminated low-grade glioma brain tumours. This new grant aims to better understand these cancers, including how to diagnose and treat them more effectively.
Our youth mental health grant will also include supporting organizations providing physical and mental health initiatives for youth living with a physical disability. We have been working on this for a couple of years now and are excited to finally see this come to fruition. The grant will launch in February 2025 and awardees will be decided by a Youth Committee with lived and living experience.
We are developing a new program in collaboration with the nesto group to support childhood cancer families to stay in their homes during their child’s active cancer treatment. Through conversations with Social Workers across the country, we’ve heard, time and again, about the immense challenges families face while navigating their child’s treatment. No family should worry about keeping a roof over their heads during such a difficult and stressful time. This initiative is designed to help ease that burden and provide families with the stability they need to focus on what truly matters—caring for their child.
With Immense Gratitude for Our Donors and Supporters
Each year, the Oxford University Press surveys youth to select the word of the year. After surveying over 3,000 children ages 6 to 14 years old, the word selected for 2025 is:
Kindness
As you would expect, we couldn’t agree more. Kindness has the power to guide us through even the darkest moments, bringing us closer together and filling our hearts with hope. It is a force of healing—not only for those who receive it but also for those who give it. In a world that often feels divided and uncertain, kindness is a universal language that reminds us of our shared humanity. There is no doubt that every corner of our world needs more kindness - simple acts of compassion that can spark change, restore faith, and inspire others to do the same.
To Close, With Kindness
We hope 2024 was filled with meaningful moments of kindness—whether given or received—shared with loved ones, new friends, and even strangers. As we step into 2025, may kindness remain a guiding light and a cherished gift, deepening your experiences and forging connections. May the acts of kindness that touched your life this past year grow, weaving a foundation of compassion to guide the year ahead.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
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